Grady COUNTY  GA  Obituaries  - Archie Mansville Walker, Jr 1944

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Katie Bennett, kbennett@pantherrock.net
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(Presumably from a Cairo, Grady Co GA newspaper, June 1944)

 

SGT. A.M. WALKER, JR. DIED OF ‘D-DAY’ WOUND; SON OF CAIRO NATIVE


Staff Sgt. Archie M. Walker, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Walker, Sr., of Fort Gaines, Ga., 
formerly of Screven and Cairo, who received a serious abdominal wound on "D-Day," June 6th, 
when the invasion of France got underway, died in a hospital in France on June 12th, his parents 
were advised last Saturday. Mrs. Walker is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Dunn, Sr., of Cairo.

Sgt. Walker went into service Jan. 16th, 1941, but had been overseas only since last Jan. 1st. 
At Camp Wheeler, Macon he was awarded a certificate for having the highest rifle score for the 
fourth cycle and a medal for cooperation and excellent character. Later, at Camp Gordon, Augusta, 
he made his Sergeant’s rating. He received training at Columbia University, Syracuse University, 
and Fort Dix, N.J., before going overseas.

His commanding officer is understood to have been the first to land in France on "D-Day" and his 
unit was, of course, in the initial landing. He was reported wounded several days ago but no 
details were received then of the extent of his wounds.

The family has the sincere sympathy of many friends in this bereavement.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

(Unknown newspaper, presumably July 1944)

 

MR. AND MRS. WALKER RECEIVE LETTER FROM DOCTOR IN FRANCE

 

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Walker;

This is a most difficult letter to write, but I assume by now you have been notified by the Army of 
the death of your son, Staff Sergeant Archie M. Walker, Jr., in France on June 12. 

 

The reason that I am writing you is that I thought you would like to hear from someone who attended 
him during his last few days, but first let me introduce myself. I am Dr. Thomas Floyd, Jr., formerly 
of Abbeville, Ala., but prior to the war, I was practicing surgery in Griffin, Ga.

 

As you probably know, Archie was a member of a unit which made the initial assault on one of the 
French beaches at 6:30 a.m., June 6. He received multiple shrapnel wounds from a high explosive shell, 
of the abdomen, left lower extremity, and below the knee also, the night of June 6. Immediately 
following the assault, I was a member of a surgical team who was attached to a medical clearing 
station that was functioning on the Beach. Archie was brought to our station early morning of June 7th, 
in profound shock; it fell my destiny to treat him. During the day I gave him many blood transfusions, 
injections of blood plasma and other resuscitative measures. During the night of June 7, I felt he was 
sufficiently revived to stand surgery; he was operated on that night for both abdominal and leg wounds.
He stood the operation moderately well; from then until June 12, he was extremely sick, fully conscious, 
and I had hoped that he would make the grade, and during this time I saw that he had careful attention, 
but in spite of every measure available, he died the late afternoon of June 12.

I was extremely grieved to lose him. When he came in the station the first night and I found he was 
from Fort Gaines, Ga., I became personally interested in him. He was well acquainted with members of 
my family and friends. He told me many times he had great faith in me and felt like he would get well. 
He was a brave man, never complained, cooperative, cheerful until the end. My heart overflows with 
sadness for you. 

If you are interested to learn the type of injury he had, you can see my father, as I wrote him of 
this case several days ago. 


Sincerely, Thomas Floyd, Jr., Capt. M.C.

 

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

Archie Mansville Walker, Jr
Born 16 Mar 1919
Died 13 Jun 1944
Burial: New Park Cemetery, Fort Gaines, Clay Co GA.
Graduate: Blakely High School; BSA Agriculture, University of Georgia.
Engaged to: Gloria Hanes, of New York City, NY (of Hanes underwear/stockings family)

 

Contributed by: Katie Bennett, kbennett@pantherrock.net